Nikolai Kemeny, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a tap dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker. His artistry combines a deep respect for historical traditions with a modern approach, inspired by his training under international tap icons and collaborations with master jazz musicians. Notable works such as LAZARUS, COSMIC TAP, and THE STEPS I STOLE have garnered critical acclaim, highlighting Nikolai’s originality. Through productions and performances at major theaters, Kemeny continually redefines his tap dance, crafting his own narrative.
As the son of opera singer Lynda Kemeny, Nikolai grew up immersed in theater. He began tap dancing at age eight under Andrea Kückmann and later developed his craft through mentoring by Andreas Dänel. In 2014, Nikolai committed to tap dance as a career after discovering Daniel Luka’s S.O.N.T.I program. Joining the Sebastian Weber Dance Company in 2017, he toured internationally and managed the company’s online presence. This path also led him to meet his fiancée, Andrea Alvergue, with whom he now performs across Europe and Latin America.
Nikolai studied with international Tap and Body music legends, including Rolann Owens, Roxane Butterfly, Oliver Bahle, Andreas Dänel, Sebastian Weber, Josh Hilberman, Jep Meléndez, and Max Pollak.
He produces and choreographs theater productions, award-winning art films, and concerts, establishing himself as a key figure in the German tap dance scene. His dynamic style combines rhythm, storytelling, elegance, and athleticism while honoring the cultural heritage of tap dance. He presents a contemporary perspective to audiences, showcasing tap dance as a powerful and relevant art form.
With over a decade of international touring experience, Kemeny has performed iconic works, including Duke Ellington’s first Concert of Sacred Music and guest appearances at State Opera Houses across Germany.
Nikolai has produced multiple art films like DISTORTION (2020), which explores isolation and resilience in a post-pandemic world, LAZARUS — a visual tap dance album in collaboration with the film collective verflimmert featuring musical collaborations with top artists like Markus Stockhausen and master dancers like Lil Rock. The Film was acknowledged internationally, earning multiple awards, including Best Dance Film and Best Soundtrack. His latest film project, THE STEPS I STOLE, is a short documentary highlighting tap dance’s cultural relevance from Hollywood’s Golden Age to today.
In 2023, Kemeny debuted his stage piece, COSMIC TAP, at LOFFT—DAS THEATER in Leipzig. This improvised performance explores the synergy between percussive dancers and intuitive musicians.
With Andrea Alvergue, he has toured across Europe and Latin America, dancing with the Swing Machine Orchestra and producing Jazz Tap concerts BLUE TAPS and OFFBeat, showcasing a class-act Tap Dance Duo and captivating audiences worldwide.
Regular Tap Dance Workshops and Classes with Nikolai are held at tanzhaus nrw (Düsseldorf), Studio Footprints (Hamburg), Blue Tap (Berlin), Tap Club (Köln), Daphne’s Studio (Vienna) THE FLOOR (Leipzig). Additionally, Nikolai has taught at Claquetap Dance Studio (Madrid), Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Havana, Cuba), and CC Danza (San Pedro Sula, Honduras). He even participated in the Lima ZAP Festival in Peru.
